Who painted Madonna and Child?

Madonna and Child was painted by Giovanni Antonio Lorenzini in 1750.

Where can I see Madonna and Child?

Madonna and Child is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

Madonna and Child

Madonna and Child is a print by Giovanni Antonio Lorenzini. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This paper print presents the Virgin Mary seated on a throne with the infant Jesus, flanked by Saint John the Baptist and a bishop belonging to the Donataires order. The composition mirrors a lost painting once owned by the Grand Duke of Tuscany and displayed in Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, translating a celebrated Renaissance design into a graphic medium.

Subject & Meaning

The central figures—Mary and the newborn Christ—are highlighted by luminous halos, underscoring their sanctity. Saint John, identifiable by his youthful demeanor and book, and the bishop, holding a cross, serve as intercessors, framing the divine pair and reinforcing themes of devotion and ecclesiastical authority within a devotional context.

Technique & Style

Executed as a print on paper, the work reproduces the tonal contrasts of the original painting, using chiaroscuro to set the holy figures against a dark background. The linear clarity of the engraving captures the flowing drapery of Mary’s robe and the delicate gestures of the child, reflecting the influence of Andrea del Sarto’s balanced composition.

History & Provenance

The image derives from a composition by Andrea del Sarto, a prominent Florentine painter of the early 16th century. The source painting entered the Grand Duke of Tuscany’s collection before being displayed at the Uffizi. This print, likely produced later, disseminated the composition beyond the museum, allowing broader access to the devotional image.